Zainal Abidin to head Penang football team

GEORGE TOWN: Former national football player Zainal Abidin Hassan has been appointed to coach the Penang football team.
Football Association of Penang (FAP) president Zairil Khir Johari said he believes the 54-year-old who coached the Pahang football team in 2004 would be able to rehabilitate the Panthers who recorded a dismal performance in the Super League 2017 under former coach Ashley Westwood.
"Zainal Abidin produced excellent results when he coached the Pahang team, therefore, I believe he will lead the Panthers to a better ranking.
"All Penang football players have potential and skills, therefore, they need some motivation and inspiration to continue in the upcoming league," he said in a press conference at Komtar here today.
Also present was Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Zainal Abidin.
During the press conference, Zainal Abidin said he would try his best to improve the performance of the Panthers, however he declined to elaborate on his strategies.
"I do not want to make any decision before studying the performance of all the football players.
"There will be some changes, but it is unfair to judge and comment on the players now. I will conduct a review on all of them before making any decision," he said.
Lim also announced an additional allocation of RM3 million for the FAP.